September 13, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has blamed the fall of revenue in oil production in the country on the insurgency in the South-South and Northeastern parts of the country, orchestrated by militants and Boko Haram when he assumed office.
Although the president expressed happiness that his administration had been able to deal with the menace, he regretted that those who were supposed to talk about the problems facing the country did not.
President Buhari, who stated this on Tuesday, during his official visit to Imo State to commission the Owerri/Okigwe, Orlu/Owerri roads, and the State House of Assembly complex, also applauded the achievement of governor Hope Uzodinma, especially on the massive road projects in the state.
He promised that his administration will continue to support the state to get more dividends of democracy.
The President blamed the elite for not thinking hard about Nigeria, adding that though his government has done “extremely well”, those who are supposed to commend his administration for his achievements have refused to speak.
He also said despite earning so much from crude oil, his predecessors failed to develop the country’s infrastructure.
“To be frank with you, I blame the Nigerian elite for not thinking hard about our country”, the President commented.
“If Nigeria will recollect, since 1999 and 2015 when we came, I like people to check OPEC projection was 2.1 million barrel per day of every cost of hundred American dollars per barrel, so Nigeria was earning for this time 2.1 million times, 100 times the number of this production.
“But look at the state of infrastructure, look at the railways, it was virtually killed; power, we are still struggling.
“But when we came, unfortunately, the militants were unleashed, production went down to half a million bpd. Again, unfortunately, the cost of petroleum went down from $28 to $37. Again, the cost of petroleum went down from 28 to 27 dollars”, he said.
He further said before he came into office in May 2015, Boko Haram terrorists controlled local governments in Borno State, but that has become a thing of the past.
“Look at the problem in the North-East, check with anybody from Borno or Adamawa, how many local governments were in the hands of the government, and how many were in the hands of Boko Haram? Fraudulent people, whoever they are, are fraudulent! But now, go and ask the hardworking governor of Borno State, a very hardworking governor. The Federal Government is in charge now.
“In terms of time and resources, this administration has done extremely well. I have to say it because those who are supposed to say it are not saying it. I don’t know why”, the President said.
Governor Uzodinma earlier in his speech thanked the president for visiting the state to commission another project by his administration, he pointed out that the roads commissioned had remarkable history behind them owing to their neglect by the previous administration.
He explained that the roads were a nightmare and deathtraps to motorists and decided to fix them. According to him, the roads have been abandoned for over forty years with gully erosion.
“Former President, Shehu Shagari, promised to tackle the erosion menace at Amucha, good news today, is that the 40 years old promise has been fulfilled under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari because some of the road commissioned was part of it.
“The road cuts across 7 LGA of the state and is economical to the state because goods can now be marketed freely on the roads”, he said.
Speaking on the reconstructed state assembly complex, he said: “The house of assembly which was abandoned when I assumed office, believing that the legislators deserve a better place, I was moved to construct it.
Speaking also at the event, President General of Ohanaeze Worldwide George Obiozor, reiterated that insecurity and infrastructure remain the greatest challenge in the southeast even as he thanked the president for his commitment to tackling some of the problems. He promised that the zone is still committed to the Nigeria project.
“We wish to reiterate on behalf of Ohanaeze that the South East is committed to the Nigeria project, we desire a platform that will continue the development and growth of Nigeria”, Obiozor said.
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